THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1897, 23 March 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1880.

Feom what has transpired recently, and also from facts patent to every one who has considered the subject, it seems to be high time that the General Cemetery Board displayed a little more activity than has hitherto been the case, in respect to the new General Cemetery. Over a year has elapsed since the appointment of the Board, and as yet but little has been done, beyond fencing and planting, to utilise the site obtained for the purposes of a cemetery for Christchurch and suburbs. That the time has arrived when the present cemeteries should be closed against further interments cannot, we think, be denied. Since their opening, population has increased in the vicinity very rapidly, until now, instead of being situated in the open, they are hemmed in on almost all sides by dwellings. Now, from a sanitary point of view, this is a state of things which ought not to exist. While the present system of burying is continued, care must bo taken to bury with the least possible risk of injury to the living, and certainly the existence of cemeteries in the midst of thickly populated localities is not at all calculated to diminish disease. The Board has at its disposal a most eligible site, and has so had it for months. It is situated in a locality where it is not probable that population will ever—or at least for many years to come—grow to any extent. Why then need the delay to which wo have referred, have taken place ? The present Church of England Cemetery is now full to overflowing, and no further extension of land can bo obtained. Yet, with all

these facts before them, the Cemetery Board do not seem to realise the necessity which exists for prompt action. We feel sure the public health, if the present state of things be allowed to continue, will suffer. Under the Act of 1874, providing for closing of cemeteries, the Governor in Council is the authority for issuing the proclamation closing any cemetery. Of course the Governor could not do so on his own motion. Hence it seems to us that the proper body to start the proposal is the Cemetery Board. If they expedite the work they have in hand so as to allow of the now site being used, then application could be made to the Governor to close the existing cemeteries. We hope the Board will set to work vigorously to ensure this result, which will be of great public benefit.

The Tramway Company seem to be in the position of being able to do just what they like with the streets of Christchurch. For weeks the ratepayers have had to submit quietly to the inconvenience of having the streets cut up and yawning chasms left totally unprotected. Now it appears the Tramway Company have coolly taken possession of one of our most frequented thoroughfares for the purpose of a station, to take up and set down passengers, and also as a place for the engine and cars to remain between the times of starting for the railway station. Only recently several tradesmen have been brought before the Resident Magistrate and fined for allowing packages of merchandise to remain on the footpath. But hero is what we contend is a most serious obstruction of the public highway allowed to be carried on daily without the least notice being taken by the authorities. For some considerable period of time at intervals during the whole day the engine and cars ef the Tramway Company remain an obstruction in the centre of one of the busiest thoroughfares of the city—yot]nothing is said. The Coaipany have a depot. Why do they not, instead of blocking up the public streets, proceed thither and take up and set down their passengers ? We are not aware of the provisions of the agreement between the Council and the Tramway Company, but we should more than doubt if, in addition to the free use. of the streets for a term of years, it gives power to the Company to use them as passenger stations and standing places for their trains. In addition to this obstruction being a positive nuisance, it is also dangerous in the extreme. The place where the Company now stop their cars is in the centre of traffic. It will at once be seen how dangerous to ladies and children it must bo to be compelled to alight in the centre of a street with cabs, omnibuses, and vehicles of all description plying around them. The City Council do not appear to take any notice of the obstruction, nor do the police. Tot, let a tradesman put a box on the pavement for ever so short a time—the obstruction to the public as compared with the one we have referred to being infinitesimal—and Policeman X. is on the spot, and the unluckly wight is fined. As the obstruction by the tram cars of the square is fast becoming a public nuisance, we do trust that, now attention has been called to it, some steps will bo taken for its removal.